Dawson Knox is officially staying in Buffalo after signing a renegotiated three-year deal this offseason, a move that slashed his 2026 cap hit to a much more palatable $8,551,333. Seriously, who saw that coming? For a guy who was staring down a monster $17.1 million cap hit on his old deal, it looked like a no-brainer for the Bills to move on. But hey, when you've got a tight end group that combined for 95 receptions, 1,210 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns last year, maybe you find a way to keep the pieces together. And that's exactly what Buffalo did, bringing back almost the entire tight end foursome from 2025.
The Money Move That Keeps Knox in Buffalo
Look, sometimes it all comes down to the numbers, right? Knox, a 6'4", 254-pound tight end who’s been in the league for eight seasons since being drafted by Buffalo in 2019, was a huge question mark because of his salary. But this renegotiated three-year contract, worth $20 million total, was the golden ticket. It wasn't just about saving cash; it was about avoiding an even bigger headache. Releasing Knox would've slapped them with a brutal $17.404 million dead cap charge. Yikes! That’s why you gotta get creative, and this move shows they really value what he brings to the field. He’s healthy, too, participating in all the offseason work, which is always a good sign heading into a new year.Knox Stepped Up When It Counted
The guy’s a fighter. In 2025, when Dalton Kincaid was sidelined with an injury, Knox absolutely stepped up. He played a full slate for the first time in his NFL career, hitting all 17 regular season games and both postseason contests. His regular season stats? A solid 49 targets, 36 catches for 417 yards, and four touchdowns. Those are season-highs for him since his Pro Bowl year in 2022, before Kincaid even arrived! He even tightened up his hands, dropping only two passes all year. Sure, one was a gimme touchdown against the Browns that would’ve sealed a bigger lead in a game they barely won, but let’s be real: most of his season was super productive. He was tied for third on the team in targets, tied for second in receiving touchdowns, third in receiving yards, and fourth in catches. This dude is a reliable target, plain and simple. Now, Knox is officially lining up as the primary backup to Kincaid, joining Jackson Hawes, Shane Zylstra, and Keleki Latu in the tight end room. But don't sleep on his importance. He’s Josh Allen’s longest-tenured pass-catcher for a reason. That rapport isn't something you just toss aside. He's been a steady hand and a reliable option, and that's exactly what a team needs as the season kicks off. Get ready to see that connection shine this year.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.